Is it true that cats bring dead mice/birds into the house as gifts for their owners?

They wouldn`t know any better..


I went outside to find my cat playing with a mouse and preparing to bring it inside.. When he saw me he started meowing and brought it up to me, purring and rubbing against my legs. He seemed very proud of himself. I read somewhere that they bring dead animals as gifts for their owners, but was wondering if there was any solid proof in terms of animal psychology.

Is it true that cats bring dead mice/birds into the house as gifts for their owners?
You are the leader of the pack so to say even though cats are not pack animals. They do this to show you loyalty. Plus if they keep you happy then you will not kick them out.





I have one cat that "Kills" his cat toys all the time and will drag them threw the house and bring them to us. The best thing to do is praise him for the gift pick it up and throw it away. With some cats it is just something they do.
Reply:he/she is either bringing it back as a present as apresation or to keep it to show surpierer or to show u to hunt and how it's done
Reply:Absolutely YES---IT'S TRUE!!! If you have a cat that goes outdoors, and has access to rats, mice, lizards, birds, etc., you might be presented with ANY of these "gifts"! ENJOY!
Reply:I kinda think that's true because my best friend's cat has also brought up a number of things (Mice and birds) to her, and she talks about it all the time...My cat hasn't seriously done a stunt like that, but I think it is true that sometimes, cats WILL bring dead mice and birds to their owner as gifts.
Reply:I heard this, but as far as it being the truth, maybe there is a little truth to it.
Reply:Thats what everyone says! Just like you give your cat love and food, he wants to give you things. He feels proud about catching it and wants you to be true. My yorkshire terrier did it aswell, a dog! I hate it when they catch birds but mice are ok, atleast those things are removed!Just pet your cat when he gives it to you, act like tou like it, lol.
Reply:Actually yes. They see you as their provider. I don't know about solid proof, but it's been said in the cat books and magazines for years. Whether we think it's an appropriate gift or not, they do, and certainly ARE proud of themselves!


(I actually just had my cat get ahold of my pet gerbil the other day...she was rather proud of herself, until she realized I wasn't happy in the slightest with her... I think she heard me threaten to send her away, because she seemed miserable the rest of the day.)
Reply:ooooh im a question stalker!!


tehe
Reply:they werent bringing it as a gift. they wanted to keep it for themselves. cats dont recognize..ownership.
Reply:Its not really a "gift" per se. It goes back to when their mamma cat brought them food. They think they are providing for their family in a way. We always praise our cat and leave it out for her to finish off how she likes, otherwise, she will leave it for us to do what we want with it and that just doesn't fly with me:))





Both of my cats killed a mouse the other day in my house and brought it right up to me in the kitchen (GROSS). I told them "good kitties" and left and when I came back, it was gone :)
Reply:No as gifts but as their contribution to the food supply of the "pride" which includes the human members. .
Reply:Omg mine did from Gopher heads from small rodents it like see mom I'm a good hunter here breakfast lol
Reply:yes. it is to be a gift to their owners
Reply:yes-my cat used to bring squirrels.Thanks Church-I miss you.
Reply:yes they love bringing presents wait till you get a frog brought in
Reply:Yes, absolutely.





It's either showing off (Because they think it will impress you) or "providing for you" in the same way a mother cat brings prey to her kittens to feed them.





Not sure which, but it is definitelly very common behavior.
Reply:Yes it is true





So nice of your cat
Reply:My cat just brought a bird in for me and him to check out. The problem is, it wasn't dead. It flew all over the house and he chased it, knocking all my stuff of the tables and so forth. It was crazy. I'm not so sure he came to bring it to me, but he did bring it inside.